The papers presented in this volume were first presented at “Recent Advances in Polyolefins,” held at the national ACS meeting in Washington, DC, August 23-28, 1992. This symposium covered both scientific and technological aspects of polyolefins.

From the Preface: “Polyolefin is one of the most important materials produced in the chemical industry. The research in this area is not only scientifially challenging but also potentially economically rewarding. Many research activities, such as developing new catalysts, understanding polymerization mechanisms, modifying the products and improving the physical properties of the materials, have been proceeding at a very fast pace, especially in the industrial laboratories in many countries...”

Target Audience: Polymer scientists and technologists concerned with polyolefins.

Table of Contents:

Catalyst/Polymerization:

Model Silica Supported Olefin Polymerization Catalysts

Statistical Propagation Models for Ziegler-Natta Polymerization

Supported Catalysts in Stirred Bed Gas Phase Reactors

Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Alternating Copolymerization and Terpolymerization of Carbon Monoxide with a-Olefins

Functionalization:

Functionalized Polyolefins Prepared by Borane Approach

Synthesis of Polyolefin—PMMA Graft Copolymers

Supported Lewis Acid Catalysts Based on Polyolefin Thermoplastics

Novel Azo Initiators for Polyolefin Modification and Grafting

Homogeneous Reaction of Maleic Anhydride with Low Density Polyethylene in Solution in Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Characterization:

Structure, Crystallization and Melting of Linear, Branched and Copolymerized Polyethylenes as Revealed by Fractionation Methods and DSC

Development of High Performance TREF for Polyolefin Analysis

NMR Analysis of Multicomponent Polyolefins

Polyolefin Blends and Composites:

Thermodynamics of Random Copolymer Mixtures by SANS

Polyethylene—Copolymer Model Blends: Morphology and Mechanical Properties

Toughening Engineering Thermoplastics with Functionalized Ethylene—Propylene Rubbers: Impact Modification of Styrene—Maleic Anhydride Copolymer

Structure Formation Due to Non-Equilibrium Liquid—Liquid Phase Separation in Polypropylene Solutions

Structure and Thermodynamic Aspects of Phase Segregation of Commercial Impact Polypropylene Copolymer

Interphase Design in Cellulose Fiber/Polypropylene Composites

Index